Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for restricting the use of functions of a multifunction peripheral executed by a controller, comprising the steps of: registering a user using a user interface associated with the multifunction peripheral; authenticating the registration of the user; and permitting a registered user authenticated in the authenticating step to use the multifunction peripheral; wherein one or more functions of the multifunction peripheral is accessible to the authenticated user and the one or more functions that is accessible to the authenticated user is not accessible to a non-authenticated user.
A method controls a multifunction peripheral (MFP) by restricting function use. The MFP registers users via its interface, authenticates user logins, and allows registered users to access the MFP. Only authenticated users can access specific functions. Non-authenticated users are denied access to these functions, effectively limiting access based on login status.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the registering step comprises the steps of: inputting a user identification (ID) and a password corresponding to a particular user; and setting respective functions of the multifunction peripheral requiring authentication according to the input user ID and the password and registering the set functions in the multifunction peripheral.
The MFP user registration process from the previous method requires a user ID and password. Based on these credentials, specific MFP functions are selected and registered. These registered functions require authentication for access, linking user ID and password to allowed MFP capabilities like printing or scanning.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of restricting the authenticated user to using only the functions set in the setting step.
Building on the previous method where functions are tied to a user ID and password, the MFP enforces function restrictions. Once a user is authenticated, they can only use the functions that were specifically set during their registration. This limits an authenticated user's actions to their pre-defined function set.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the functions of the multifunction peripheral comprise at least one of printing, scanning, scanning-to-e-mail, copying, facsimileing and e-mailing.
Expanding on the MFP function selection from earlier descriptions, the selectable functions include: printing, scanning, scanning-to-email, copying, faxing, and emailing. During user registration, any combination of these functions can be assigned to a user ID and password.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the authenticating step further comprises the steps of: displaying a user authentication program interface for input of the user ID and the password; and authenticating the user when the input user ID and the password correspond to the input user ID and the password registered in the multifunction peripheral.
Further detailing the MFP user authentication from prior descriptions, the system presents a user interface for entering a user ID and password. The system authenticates the user when the entered ID and password match the values stored in the MFP's user registration data. This matching process is required for function access.
6. A multifunction peripheral capable of restricting use thereof according to a user, the multifunction peripheral comprising: a user management unit configured for facilitating user registration and user authentication; and a control unit for controlling the functions of the multifunction peripheral requested by a user after the user is authenticated through the user management unit and the user has registered to use the requested function; wherein one or more of the functions of the multifunction peripheral is accessible to the authenticated user and the one or more functions that is accessible to the authenticated user is not accessible to a non-authenticated user.
An MFP restricts user access to specific functions. It features a user management unit for registration and authentication. A control unit regulates MFP functions based on successful authentication and function registration. Authenticated users gain access to functions that are unavailable to non-authenticated users, limiting usage based on login and registration.
7. The multifunction peripheral of claim 6 , wherein the user management unit comprises: a user registration part for registering a user by a user ID and a password and registering a user to use at least one of the respective functions of the multifunction peripheral; and a user authentication part for displaying a user authentication program user interface for inputting the user ID and the password.
Describing the MFP user management unit, it includes a user registration part for registering users with a user ID, password, and permitted functions. It also has a user authentication part that displays an interface to input the user ID and password for login.
8. The multifunction peripheral of claim 6 , wherein the functions of the multifunction peripheral comprise at least one of printing, scanning, scanning-to-email, copying, facsimileing and e-mailing.
The MFP's selectable functions, as mentioned in previous descriptions, include printing, scanning, scanning-to-email, copying, faxing, and emailing. These functions can be individually controlled and restricted based on user authentication.
9. The multifunction peripheral of claim 6 , wherein the use of at least one of the respective multifunction peripheral functions is set and registered according to the user ID and the password.
The MFP's user authentication and function selection system allows specific function use to be set and registered according to the user ID and password. This association ensures that access control is linked to individual user accounts.
10. The multifunction peripheral of claim 9 , wherein the control unit controls the multifunction peripheral so that even the authenticated user is restricted to using only the functions set during user registration.
Building on the MFP's function restriction capabilities, the control unit ensures that even after a user is authenticated, they are restricted to using only the functions that were set during the user registration process, enforcing pre-defined access limits.
11. A non-transitory computer readable medium of instructions for controlling a computer to perform a method comprising the steps of: registering a user using a user interface associated with the multifunction peripheral; authenticating the registration of the user; and permitting a registered user authenticated in the authenticating step to use the multifunction peripheral; wherein one or more functions of the multifunction peripheral is accessible to the authenticated user and the one or more functions that is accessible to the authenticated user is not accessible to a non-authenticated user; wherein at least one function that is accessible to the authenticated user is not accessible to a non-authenticated user.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions that control a computer to restrict function use on an MFP. The instructions involve registering users via the MFP's interface, authenticating logins, and permitting access to registered users. Only authenticated users gain access to specific functions denied to non-authenticated users.
12. The computer readable medium of instructions of claim 11 , wherein the registering step comprises the steps of: inputting a user identification (ID) and a password corresponding to a particular user; and setting respective functions of the multifunction peripheral requiring authentication according to the input user ID and the password and registering the set functions in the multifunction peripheral.
The computer-readable medium's instructions for user registration on the MFP involves inputting a user ID and password. It also involves setting MFP functions that require authentication based on these credentials and registering the functions within the MFP.
13. The computer readable medium of instructions of claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises the step of restricting the authenticated user to using only the functions set in the setting step.
This invention relates to computer security systems that manage user access to software functions. The problem addressed is ensuring that authenticated users can only perform authorized actions, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive or restricted features. The system involves a method for controlling user permissions within a software application. A user authentication step verifies the identity of the user, typically through credentials like passwords or biometrics. After authentication, a settings step defines which functions or features the user is permitted to access, based on predefined permissions. The system then enforces these restrictions, ensuring the user can only interact with the allowed functions. This prevents unauthorized access to restricted features, enhancing security and compliance. The method may also include additional steps such as logging user actions or dynamically adjusting permissions based on context. The invention is particularly useful in enterprise software, where different users require varying levels of access to maintain security and operational efficiency. By strictly limiting user actions to only those functions explicitly permitted, the system reduces the risk of accidental or malicious misuse of unauthorized features.
14. The computer readable medium of instructions of claim 12 , wherein the functions of the multifunction peripheral comprise at least one of printing, scanning, scanning-to-e-mail, copying, facsimileing and e-mailing.
Expanding on the computer-readable medium's MFP function settings, the selectable functions include printing, scanning, scanning-to-email, copying, faxing, and emailing. Access to these functions is controlled by the authentication system.
15. The computer readable medium of instructions of claim 14 , the authenticating step further comprises the steps of: displaying a user authentication program interface for input of the user ID and the password; and authenticating the user when the input user ID and the password correspond to the input user ID and the password registered in the multifunction peripheral.
Further detailing the computer-readable medium's MFP user authentication, the instructions involve displaying an interface for entering the user ID and password. Authentication occurs when the entered credentials match those registered in the MFP.
16. A method for restricting use of functions of a multifunction peripheral based on a security level assigned to a document, comprising the steps of: registering a user; authenticating registration of a user; determining a security level of the document; and permitting an authenticated user in the authenticating step to use only the functions of the multifunction peripheral permitted by the security level; wherein one or more of the functions of the multifunction peripheral is accessible to the authenticated user and the one or more functions that is accessible to the authenticated user is not accessible to a non-authenticated user.
A method restricts MFP function use based on a document's security level. The method registers and authenticates users. It then determines the security level of a document and permits an authenticated user to use only the MFP functions allowed by that security level, limiting access according to document sensitivity.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the registering step comprises the steps of: inputting a user identification (ID) and a password according to users; and setting functions requiring authentication according to the input user ID and the password and registering the functions in the multifunction peripheral.
The document-security based method registers users by inputting a user ID and password. It then sets functions requiring authentication according to these credentials and registers the functions in the MFP, linking user accounts to access control.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the authenticating step further comprises the steps of: displaying a user authentication program interface for input of the user ID and the password; and authenticating the user when the input user ID and the password correspond to the user ID and the password registered in the multifunction peripheral.
The document-security MFP authentication process displays a user interface for inputting a user ID and password. The user is authenticated when the entered credentials match those registered in the MFP, verifying access rights.
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January 6, 2015
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